for her, and usually spoke of her as "old Crayson's grandchild."
Mrs. Dinsmore really disliked her, because she looked upon her as
the child of a stepson for whom she had never felt any affection,
and also as the future rival of her own children; while the
governess and the younger members of the family, following the
example of their elders, treated her with neglect, and occasionally
even with abuse. Miss Day, knowing that she was in no danger of
incurring the displeasure of her superiors by so doing, vented upon her
all the spite she dared not show to her other pupils; and continually
she was made to give up her toys and pleasures to Enna, and even
sometimes to Arthur and Walter. It often cost her a struggle, and
had she possessed less of the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,
her life had been wretched indeed.

But in spite of all her trials and vexations, little Elsie was the
happiest person in the family; for she had in her heart that peace
which the world can neither give nor take away; that joy which the
Saviour gives to His own, and no man taketh from them. She
constantly carried all her sorrows and troubles to Him, and the
coldness and neglect of others seemed but to drive her nearer to
that Heavenly Friend, until she felt that while possessed of His
love, she could not be unhappy, though treated with scorn and
abuse by all the world.

"The good are better made by ill,
As odors crushed are sweeter still;"

And even so it seemed to be with little Elsie; her trials seemed
to have only the effect of purifying and making more lovely her
naturally amiable character.